Soul 69 [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Aretha Franklin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 14, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1969
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B00000335I
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,554 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #20 in Music > R&B > Soul > Southern Soul
  • #35 in Music > Jazz > Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo

Editorial Reviews

Aretha's sixth Atlantic album, characterized by an intriguing blend of her soul pipes with pop standards and jazz arrangements. Now available for the first time in years!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What - no 10 star option??, September 3, 2000

By 

J. Anderson (Monterey, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul 69 (Audio CD)

This is one of the supreme recordings in the history of the medium! Aretha in the absolute prime of her self-discovery on Atlantic, the hippest Muscle Shoals musicians around, musical arrangements that are unafraid of themselves, and a superior choice of material make this THE Aretha Franklin album, in my view! Every cut is a highlight- the natural, high-flying vocal improvisations of 'Ramblin' and 'Bring It On Home To Me', Aretha's astonishing interpretation of Billie Holiday's 'Crazy He Calls Me', the remaking of 'Gentle On My Mind' into something finally so distinctive- what can one say about an art this Right, this Complete? Just keep repeating the mantra...a RE tha .... a RE tha ... a RE tha......not much else to say. Thank god the Rev. C. L. had his baby girl in our lifetimes!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUSICAL REINVENTION AT ITS BEST, June 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Soul 69 (Audio CD)

Easily my favorite Aretha Franklin recording, Soul '69 combines the singer's great jazz, blues and pop instincts to produce a fusion that sounds like nothing in her extensive catalogue. The recording's title is oddly misleading, providing little clue as to what this remarkable song package really offers. The wailing vocals, bluesy and jazzy, echoed by the screaming horn arrangements, and the big band productions offer some remarkable interpretations and rearrangements to a list of some well chosen contemporary -- 1969? -- songs . Aretha has never sounded so inspired. I have returned to this masterpiece many times. In an odd way, it has a seamless feel, much like Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks", that sets a consistent tone -- heartbreak? discontent? The character in these songs may be lamenting, but with a fierceness and toughness (and ocassional tenderness) that makes each song soar. The singer's reworking of Smokey's classic "Tracks of My Tears" transforms sadness into defiance. If someone has ever really done you wrong, put on this record. Believe me, you will not cry. You'll CELEBRATE having everpienced the pain. You will won't walk away from these songs feeling like anyone's victim. These songs are bewitching chants on LOVE.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best ever, April 22, 2005

By 

Lorena L. Kelly "music lover D" (Columbia, South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul 69 (Audio CD)

This is perhaps the best ever of Areatha's Atlantic Recordings because it masterfully showcases another side of Aretha. This album represents what Columbia Records tried to do but couldn't. As other reviewers have suggested, the title is misleading. Rather than straight up soul this album showcases Aretha's jazz and blues leanings. As she did with Otis Reddings' Respect, Lady Soul makes you forget about Smoky Robinson's rendition of Tracks of My Tears. This is no small feat. River's Invitation is a tour de force also. In addition to Aretha's searing voice, this outing is driven by outstanding sessions talents such as Richard Tee on keyboards, Bernard Purdie on Drums and I believe Cornell Dupree on guitar is along for the ride. This is definitely a must have album if you are serious about collecting great music.